Exposed filing and record keeping equipment



y 1951 I R. K. KLAPMAN 2,552,434

EXPOSED FILING AND RECORD KEEPING EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 26, 1948 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 56 d odm zy h; hla mmm 2 I zittonieg Summer May 8, 1951 R. KLAPMAN 2,552,434

.' xPosED FILING AND RECORD KEEPING EQUIPMENT Filed Feb. 2a, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 $167. 6 ZSnneutor C(ttomeg Patented May 8, 1951 EXPOSED'FILING AND RECORD KEEPING EQUIPMENT Rodney K. Klapman, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Watson Manufacturing Company, 1110., Jamestown, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 26, 1948, Serial No. 11,263

Claims. (01. 45-2) This invention relates to filing equipment, and more particularly to equipment intended to .store and facilitate the handling of large quantities of records.

In large ofiices,-such as those in industries, insurance companies, etc., numerous records are required to be made and kept. Periodically these records .must be corrected, changed, or replaced. Generally speaking, in the past, equipment suitable for filing these records has not only'occupied a large area of office space, but has been broken up into separate units, spaced apart sufficiently to provide passageways or aisles to enable convenient access thereto. Filing equipment set up in this manner necessarily requires clerks to walk long distances in the filing and removal of records, which is not only tiring but frequently is the cause of at least temporary loss of some records through incorrect filing. Additionally, the time required to file a quantity of records in scattered orspread out filing equipment is far in excess of the time that should be required for this Work.

The present invention has been developed for the purpose of overcoming the above mentioned filing equipment objections by providing filing equipment that partakes of the nature of a pair of extended, open top, file units, so spaced as to provide an aisle therebetween. So constrained as to move only in the direction 0f the length of the aisle, is a carriage equipped with a seat and work table. A file clerk may occupy "the seat on the carriage and transfer records from the work table to an adjacent "portion of the file on either side of the aisle. The carriage is freely movable from one to the other end :of the file units by the simple eifort of the file clerk pushing upon the floor.

It is a purpose and object of the invention to provide filing equipment so organized that :a single file clerk may handle the filing of large quantities of records.

It is also an object of the invention to provide filing equipment that is so designed as to provide ready access to any of the records contained therein without .so spreading or spacing the equipment as to occupy excessive ofiice :fioor space.

Another object of the invention .lies inthe provision of a carriage provided with an operators seat and work table, the carriage being constrained to move only in a lengthwise direction between the file units through use of .a single guide member in the form of a track with which two wheels of one side of the carriage are engaged.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a carriage so designed that an operator thereof may, by simply pushing one foot on the floor, translate the carriage toward one or the other end of the equipment at will.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of a carriage for filing equipment of the type set out wherein the operators seat is adjustable toward or away from the work table, as well as being provided with a conventional seat raising and lowering mechanism.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; and in which Fig. 1 is a perspective-view showing filing equipment embodying the structure of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the equipment showing the relationship of the spaced record files to the operators carriage;

Fig. '3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the general structure of the carriage and method of mounting for movement between the files;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View showing the seat supporting base and by means by which said base may be adjusted lengthwise of the carriage;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6. is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the position of certain operative parts when the seat base is rendered adjustable;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the left side of the carriage; and

Fig. 8 is a. fragmentary perspective view showing structural details of the rear portion of the carriage.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral I0 is employed to generally designate filing equipment in which one form of the present invention is embodied. This equipment comprises a pair of filing units H and 12, arranged in predetermined, spaced, parallel relationship. In Fig. 1 of the drawing the filing equipment is shown to consist of two each of the units II and I2. Thepurpose of this showing is merely to illustrate the ease or facility with which an originally set up filing system may be enlarged as required without in any way disrupting the system as already installed. In other words, if'a pair of units H and i2, together with the other equipment hereinafter set out, has been installed and additional filing space is required, it is a simple matter to supply an additional pair of unts H and I2, arranging them as indicated in the drawing. Each unit includes legs I 4 on which is mounted an extended boxlike filing structure It that is open along its entire top. Within the structure I6 is located any desired number of file followers or fixed dividers IT. The units shown are of identical construction and are secured in any suitable manner to the floor on which they are mounted in order that they may be maintained in permanent, spaced, parallel relationship.

The passageway or aisle between the units II and I2 is of sufiicient width to receive a conveyance for a file clerk, generally indicated by the numeral I 9. This conveyance or carriage includes spaced, vertical, frame members 2 I, each of which consists of a pair of tubes 22 suitably joined in superposed spaced relationship through a part of their length, and spaced apart at the forward end of the carriage and bent upwardly to provide upstanding supports 23 and 24. Attached to the corresponding curved portions 26 of the supports is a plate 2?. In Fig. 3 of the drawing it will be noted that the lower tube 22, at a point adjacent the curved portion 26, constitutes a ledge on which is located a foot rest 28. A suitable flange 29, forming part of this rest, is secured to the inner face of the plate 21. Of course, identical plates 21 and foot rests 28 are provided on each side of the forward end of the carriage. Mounted on and secured to the upper ends of the supports 23 and 24 is a work shelf or table 3|. This table is preferably proportioned as shown in the drawing and has only necessary clearance along its sides for the inner edges of the filing structures I6, Preferably, the table is at a height somewhat above that of the top edges of the structures IE to facilitate filing operations, although this may be changed as found necessary. A drawer 32 is mounted in the table and projects through the rear flange 33 thereof. Attached to the forward supports 24 is an apron 34 which gives adequate stability to the table 3| and maintains the frame members, at the forward end of the carriage, in fixed relationship. The frames 2I, at the rear end of the carriage, are secured in desired spaced relationship by means of a cross brace or support 35. This brace includes flanged ends that are permanently joined to the innermost surfaces of the superposed tubes 22.

Located between the frames 2 I, at the rear of the carriage, is a seat carrying pedestal or base 36. Mounted on shafts, carried by the end walls 31 of this pedestal, are rollers 33. These rollers may have slightly concave bearing surfaces and rest'upon the uppermost tube 22 of each of the frame members 21. Projecting through the top wall of the pedestal 3G is a conventional swivel support 39, to which is attached a conventional seat 4|. A back support 42, of any conventional design, is attached to the rear edge of the seat 4|. It is contemplated that the seat may be elevated or lowered with respect to the pedestal 36 in the manner common to the usual ofiice swivel chair. That portion of the support 39 that extends into the pedestal is braced or rigidified by means of plates or webs 48. These plates are permanently joined to the support and the inner faces of the end walls 31 substantially as suggested in the drawing.

A curved area 43, in the present disclosure, constitutes the connecting portion between the top wall of the pedestal and the end walls 31. As may be observed in Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive, one curved wall is provided with a slot 44, through which one end of a lever 46 projects. Within the pedestal the lever 46 is joined to the wall 31 by means of a pin 41 which, being rigid with this wall and provided with a spring and stop structure 48, permits movement of the lever against tension of the spring from the position of Fig. 5 to that of Fig. 6. The lower end of the lever 46 is provided with a pin 49 which projects through an opening 5| in the wall 31 into any one of several apertures 52 in the top tube 22. The apertures 52 are so spaced and in sufficient number as to enable movement of the pedestal 36, and the chair seat associated therewith, toward or away from the table 3| for the purpose of providing desirable operating convenience for a file clerk using the equipment.

In order that the carriage above described may be constrained to move within the passageway between the units I I and I2 without bumping or rubbing either of said units, it is contemplated to provide a single guide means in the form of a track 53. This track is shown as an inverted V and is mounted on the lower flange 54 of an angle bar 56. The upright flange 57 of this bar may be rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the innermost legs I4 of the adjacent filing unit, or to the floor, as found most convenient. When it is desired to provide additional filing units II and I2, an additional section of the bar 56 and rail 53 will be aligned with the previously installed corresponding parts, giving substantially the appearance suggested in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The track 53 is located adjacent the righthand file unit I2 when the equipment is viewed from the position suggested in Fig. 1. Thus, at the right-hand forward end of the carriage, plate 21 mounts a wheel 58, which has a grooved edge 59 adapted to interfit the track 53. At the rear, right-hand end of the carriage, an upstanding plate 6| is attached to the tubes 22 and this plate mounts a wheel 52 that is of the diameter of wheel 58 and includes a grooved edge adapted to interfit the track 53. The left-hand side of the carriage is, of course, provided with plates 21 and BI and these plates serve to support front and rear wheels 63 and 64. These wheels are of greater diameter than wheels 58 and 82 and have substantially flat circumferences intended to rest upon and move along the floor.

To more fully appreciate the many advantages of the structure above described, a brief statement of operation is set out. When it is desired to file records in the equipment represented by the units I I and I2, the filing clerk merely places the records on the table 3| and occupies the seat 4|. If it is desired to file records at the far or forward end of the equipment, the clerk merely pushes rearwardly on the floor and the carriage is readily advanced between the units to the desired place of filing. Since the seat may be swiveled, it is very convenient for the clerk to file records in either of the units. The carriage, although freely movable, has no tendency to creep or move from a given position with respect to the file units, due to the fact that the clerk, during any filingoperation, invariably has both feet upon the floor and it is not until a positive pushing effort is made that the carriage will move into another position with respect to the units. In order that the carriage may not run beyond theend of the track 53, it is contemplated to provide; stop plates 66 at the track ends. These plates, as shown, may be secured to the angle bar 56. As above mentioned, in order that different file clerks may enjoy the full convenience of the equipment, the seat 4! may be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the table through manipulation of lever 46 and movement of pedestal 36.

Although applicant has shown and described only one form of his invention wherein a pair of extended filing units are made quickly and easily accessible for the filing and removal of records through the provision of a file clerk transporting carriage and work table, it will be understood that variations or modifications of the structure shown and described may be made and are contemplated insofar as such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set out in the annexed claims.

Having thus set forth my invention, what I claim as new and for which I desire protection by Letters Patent is:

1. In filing equipment having a pair of fixed elongated filing receptacles arranged in spaced a ing forward end support, a work table bridging and securing the upstanding end supports in spaced relationship, means bridging and securing the rear ends of the horizontal rail portions of said frames, a seat carrying base, anti-friction means on said seat base engaged with the rail portions of said frames, wheels on each side of and supporting said conveyance, the wheels of one side being engaged with said track.

2. In filing equipment having an elongated filing receptacle, a track secured to the base portions of one side and extending at least the full length of said receptacle; a file clerk conveyance comprising a pair of spaced parallel frames having horizontal rails that constitute the sole base of said conveyance and upstanding forward end supports, a work table bridging and being secured to said end supports, means bridging and secured to the rear ends of said rails, a seat carrying base, anti-friction means on the ends of said seat base engaged with said frame rails, and wheels on each side of and supporting said conveyance, the wheels on one side being engaged with said track.

3. In filing equipment having an elongated filing receptacle, a track secured to the base portions of one side and extending at least the full length of said receptacle; a file clerk conveyance comprising a pair of spaced parallel frames having horizontal rails that constitute the sole base of said conveyance and upstanding forward end supports, a work table bridgin and being secured to said end supports, means bridging and secured to the rear ends of said rails, a seat carrying base, anti-friction means on the ends of said seat base engaged with said frame rails, means for securing the seat base in desired position of adjustment with respect to said conveyance, and wheels on each side of and supporting said conveyance, the wheels of one side being of lesser diameter and being engaged with said track.

4. In filing equipment having an elongated filing receptacle, a track secured to the base portions of one side and extending at least the full length of said receptacle; a file clerk conveyance comprising a pair of spaced parallel frames havin horizontal rails that constitute the sole base of said conveyance and upstanding forward end supports, a work table bridging and being secured to said end supports, means bridging and secured to the rear ends of said rails, a seat carrying base, anti-friction means carried by the depending ends of said seat base, the top surfaces of said horizontal rails serving as tracks for engagement by said anti-friction means, and wheels carried by each of said horizontal rails, the wheels of one side of said conveyance being of lesser diameter and engaged with said full length track.

5. In filing equipment having an elongated filing receptacle, a track secured to the base portions of one side and extending at least the full length of said receptacle; a file clerk conveyance comprising a pair of spaced parallel frames, each of said frames including a pair of tubular members arranged in superposed relationship through a part of their length to constitute horizontal rails that are the sole base of said conveyance and upstanding forward end supports, a work table bridging said frames and being secured to and enclosing the end portions of said upstanding supports, means bridging and secured to the rear ends of said rails, a seat carrying base, anti-friction means on said base engaged with the topmost tubular member of each of said horizontal rails, and wheels on each side of said conveyance, the wheels of one side being of lesser diameter and engaged with said full length track.

RODNEY K. KLAPMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,412,219 Hunter Dec. 10, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 683,312 France Feb. 25, 1930 

